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Saturday, May 3, from 12–3 pm | JOIN US for technology demonstrations and light refreshments at the Douglass Branch Makerspace Opening Celebration! With 315 square feet, The Makerspace provides amazing opportunities for learning and creativity! The space includes a recording booth and equipment, 3D printer, Glowforge Aura laser cutter, Cricut machine, and sewing machines. Gaming and virtual reality stations will be available in the Douglass Branch meeting room.
This incredible project was made possible through funding from the Friends of the Library, the Foundation, and a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). |
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Sunday, May 4, from 2–5 pm | ARE YOU READY to be inspired by the next generation of business leaders? Join us as we kick off National Small Business Week with an exciting afternoon of innovation and inspiration. Watch talented high school students compete for a $5000 prize by pitching their best business ideas to a panel of experienced local entrepreneurs. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur yourself, a fan of the show "Shark Tank", or simply curious about the future of business, this event is not to be missed!
Made possible with support from the Library Foundation.
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Sun., May 18, from 12–3 pm | YOU’RE INVITED to an all-ages community celebration to kick off the Oceans of Possibilities! Summer Reading Challenge (May 15–Aug 15). Enjoy Virtual Reality Stations, Family-Friendly Bingo, and Make & Take Ocean-themed Crafts, plus you can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. Let's celebrate summer and read together! |
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LIKE TO WRITE? This month USA Today Bestselling author Jade Lee will share tips on how to get your manuscript ready for publication (5/7), and bestselling and award-winning romance novelist Julie Navickas will lead a hands-on workshop on writing an impactful query letter to land an agent (5/21). Find details about our Writer’s Workshop series and annual contest on our website. |
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Saturday, May 31, at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm | TAKE A TRIP under the sea with Smarty Pants! Learn about all kinds of cool sea creatures, including the newly discovered Balloon-O-Fish. The Balloons Under The Sea Show is an entertaining combination of magic, comedy, and Smarty's award-winning, eye popping, larger-than-life balloon creations inspired by classic vaudeville. To learn more about Smarty Pants, visit his website. |
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Virtual Visits with
Bestselling Authors |
THIS MONTH you can enjoy virtual visits with two New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning authors. On Free Comic Book Day, join author/illustrator Dan Santat (5/3) for Art and Adventures (for all ages). Besides writing and illustrating over 100 children's books, he created Disney's animated hit, “The Replacements.” Later in the month, Princeton University sociology professor and author Matthew Desmond (5/15) will speak on the topic of poverty in America. Sign up to get the Zoom link.
Presented in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, a coalition of 200 public libraries |
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QUESTIONS ABOUT LONG TERM CARE? On Thu., May 15, join L. Kaye DeSelms Dent, Attorney and Managing Partner of Dent Coulson Elder Law, LLC, as she discusses how you can protect your assets from the costs of long term care and avoid disrupting your estate plan.
Presented in partnership with Dent Coulson Elder Law. |
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LOOKING FOR afterschool activities? Monday-Thursday drop by our Douglass Branch from 4-5 pm for STEAM activities, games and crafts. Open to ages 8-17. Questions? Give our Douglass Branch staff a call at 217/403-2090. |
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Looking for a job? Launching a business? |
NEED HELP with your job search or business venture? Celebrate National Small Business Week with us May 4-10! Local experts leading workshops this month include Scott Clanin, owner of Clanin Creative (5/6), Mark Wolters, award-winning business educator from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business (5/12), and Shari Fox, founder of Fox Philanthropic Advisors (5/13).
5/6 · Mastering Social Media Giveaways, 2–3 pm
5/6 · Business & Career Help, drop in 5–7 pm, Douglass Branch
5/7 · Career Help, drop in 11 am–1 pm
5/8 · SBDC Office Hours, drop in 12–3 pm
5/12 · Social Media Basics for Businesses, 6 pm
5/13 · Foundational Fundraising, 1–2:30 pm
5/20 · Let's Network + Library Tour, 6 pm
5/29 · Career Lunch & Learn | AI in the Job Search, 12 pm
Business Resources »
Career Resources » |
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TECH QUESTIONS? This month’s Getting Started with Tech series (Tuesdays at 2 pm) includes introductory workshops on Windows 11 computers (5/6), digital file organization (5/13) and digital file storage (5/20). Come to our evening workshop this month (7 pm) and learn about Google Sheets (5/12). Sign up online or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We are happy to help! |
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We also offer Specialty Tech workshops. This month you can learn the basics of video editing with DaVinci Resolve (5/19). Sign up online or by calling 217/403-2000. |
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The Main Library and Douglass Branch will be closed May 26. Book returns and the E-Library are always open! |
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FOR ALL AGES
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STOP BY FOR FREE COMICS at the Main Library, Douglass Branch, and The Urbana Free Library. Costumes welcome! For all ages.
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Studio Weekend Hours
• Saturdays, 9 am–6 pm
• Sundays, 12–6 pm
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The Studio | Thursday Night Drop-in Hours
Thursdays from 5–7 pm
For all ages |
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The Magic of Tobin Kincaid
Tue., May 6, at 6 pm
You'll be amazed by the magic tricks of 10-year-old Amateur Magician Tobin Kincaid–card tricks, coin tricks, and more! |
Comedy Juggler Troy Roark
Sat., May 24
Three showtimes!
11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm
Filled with fantastic juggling, magic, and comedy, this show will make you ooh and ahh! |
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Puzzle Race
Sun., May 11, from 1–3 pm
Compete to see which team can finish a 500-piece puzzle the fastest!
Registration required. |
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DIY Kids
Wednesdays at 4 pm
Douglass Branch
>> Lava Lamps, Tech Toys, Paper Chain Challenge, and Kaleidoscope
Family Fun Night
Thursdays at 6:30 pm
>> May Day is Lei Day, Native Wildflower Seed Bombs, and Read to the Dogs |
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Pop-up Virtual Reality
Thu., May 8, from 11 am–1 pm
Drop in to the Main Library lobby to experience virtual reality worlds and games, including Beat Saber, Fruit Ninja, and National Geographic adventures. |
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Yarn & Shenanigans
Mon., May 5 & 19, at 6 pm
Douglass Branch |
Coffee and a Craft | Flower Mason Jar
Thu., May 8, at 2 pm
Douglass Branch |
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Project READ Tutoring
Fridays at 9:30 am |
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LOOKING FOR something exciting to do after school? Teens are invited to stop by for activities and fun.
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*Does not meet on 5/29 & 30
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Table Talk Book Club:
Meeting to select titles for the next season
Tue., May 13, at 6:30 pm |
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Make & Take for Preschoolers
Thursdays at 10 am
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Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime
11:15 am
5/28 · Main Library |
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WHAT’S NEW? New Releases hit the shelves every week on Tuesday mornings. Reserve your copy now or give us a call at 217/403-2000. We’ll let you know when your hold items are ready for pickup! |
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